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LOT 1227
ed 19th Century Air Rifle with Shagreen Wrapped James Beattie of London - NSN, 11 mm , 30 5/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, metal/
hardwood stock. “BEATTIE 223/REGENT ST LONDON” engraved on top of the action. James Beattie was
active from 1832-1893 and was listed alone at 205 Regent Street in
1848-1863 and then with his son at the same starting in 1864. Air guns of this style were used primarily for hunting, with this high quality engraved example being
of the type used by an individual with wealth and status. “Wind guns” had several
advantages over conventional firearms including that they were quieter, smokeless, quicker to reload, and relatively unaffected by rain. It is chambered in approximately .43 caliber/11 mm and features an
octagon barrel, German silver blade front sight and dovetailed notch rear sight, a rotating faucet breech that loads from the top, walnut forend and a shagreen (shark or stingray skin) wrapped iron stock air reservoir. Features high quality floral engraving on the action, hammer,
trigger guard and sides of the faucet breech. Circular brass collection tag “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/2038” hanging from the guard. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% original brown twist finish on the barrel, 60% plus original casehardened finish on the action with smooth gray patina and some scattered light freckling on the balance, 85% original high polish blue finish on the trigger guard, and absolutely sharp engraving, edges and markings in the metal overall. The walnut forend is also very fine with some scattered light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 1228
Engraved 19th Century English Air Rifle with Unique Snakeskin Wrapped Stock Reservoir - NSN, 11 mm , 30 5/8 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, metal stock. Air guns of this style were used primarily for hunting, with this high quality engraved example being of the type used by an individual with wealth and status. This air rifle has no visible marker markings but is very likely of English origin, and is of the same pattern as another example in this auction by maker James Beattie of
London Lot 1227. It is chambered in approximately .43 caliber/11 mm and features an octagon barrel with fine-groove rifling,
brass bead front sight and dovetailed notch rear sight, a rotating faucet breech that loads from the top, walnut forend and a snakeskin wrapped metal stock air reservoir. Features high quality floral engraving on the action, hammer, trigger guard and sides of the faucet breech. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/2025” hanging from theguard. CONDITION: Very good with scattered light pitting and dark brown patina mixed with faded brown finish overall, and otherwise defined engraving. The snakeskin wrap is fine with some age related wear and some areas peeling. The walnut forend is good with dents, some chipped/absent sections along the top edges, and an absent wedge plate on the right. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
Engraved 19th Century Stock Reservoir Repeating Air Rifle by Charles Ingram of Glasgow, Scotland - NSN, 11 mm , 29 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, metal/hardwood stock. “INGRAM/ GLASGOW” marked on the top flat at the breech. Charles “Old Charley” Ingram (1816-1885) established his gunmaking business in Glasgow, Scotland in 1832 (business active until 1945), for which he was well-respected within Scotland and beyond. Apart from his gunmaking, he was also an accomplished marksman and a sergeant in the 1st Lanarkshire Volunteer Rifles. This air rifle is chambered in approximately .43 caliber/11 mm and features an octagon barrel with fine-groove rifling, a stock air reservoir, a 7-shot revolving cylinder with access via a gate that flips open on the left of the breech area, German silver bead front sight and dovetail mounted notch rear sight, flourishes of floral and donut scroll engraving on the breech, frame and lock. It functions through the use of a lock with a hammer that bumps a spring loaded lever/valve in order to open up the airway for firing. Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/COLLECTION/2081” hanging from the guard. CONDITION: Very good, retains 60% original brown twist finish with some scattered light pitting on the barrel, 85% period black painted finish on the buttstock with some scattered chips, and crisp engraving. The mainspring of the lock is non-functional, otherwise mechanically untested. Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection.
LOT 1229
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500 229
Very Fine Engrav Stock Reservoir by